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Caroline Mulroney visits St. Andrews West

Caroline Mulroney, in the race to lead Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party, at a meet-and-greet with party members and supporters in the local riding on Friday afternoon, at Quinn's Inn in St. Andrews West. Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder

ST. ANDREWS WEST — A political newcomer but someone with apparent star power drew a pretty good crowd to Quinn’s Inn in the middle of the afternoon on Friday.

Caroline Mulroney, daughter of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, was in St. Andrews West for a meet-and-greet with about 100 party members and supporters in the local riding, just days after earlier this week jumping into the race to lead Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party.

Mulroney told the crowd she put her name forward because “I know I’m the only (candidate) who can beat Kathleen Wynne.’’

The 43-year-old, mother of four is a lawyer and businesswoman who graduated from Harvard and New York University’s law school, and last year she took a leave from her job as the vice president of investment firm BloombergSen Inc. to become a candidate for the riding of York-Simcoe.

Mulroney has never held political office, but politics are far different now than they were in her father’s heyday.

And it’s been a period of tumult for the Progressive Conservative Party, with leader Patrick Brown two weeks ago forced to resign amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The development prompted a very quick leadership race to be held before the June 7 provincial election, and, as of late this week, three candidates — including Christine Elliott and Doug Ford — have stepped forward.

The party’s next leader will be announced March 10, following several days of electronic voting.

“I’m very excited about winning on March 10, and defeating Kathleen Wynne on June 7,’’ Mulroney said toward the conclusion of about 10 minutes of remarks and before moving about the room meeting with supporters.

Earlier, the gathering was told that local party officials found out from the campaign on Wednesday about a Mulroney whirlwind tour through the region — she was also in Brockville on Friday — and it was wondering if it would be possible to have a gathering of about 30.

Far more than that attended, something that Mulroney said she found “heartwarming,’’ and that “it speaks to the fact that Ontario needs change.’’

Mulroney, with four children ages 13, 12, 12 and 10, told the crowd she’s concerned as a parent about the province’s future.

“Life has become so unaffordable (in Ontario),’’ Mulroney said, adding that she believes future prosperity is being jeopardized and that “we have to get Ontario back on track.’’

Mulroney acknowledged her famous last name, but said the province needs a new face.

She’s received a lot of media attention in just a few days.

Earlier this week she told Macleans that “I’m (a leadership candidate) because we need change in Ontario . . . the more I knock on doors, the more I hear from people that they’re angry . . . we need to deliver change in Ontario, and I’m running because I’m the only person who can defeat (Wynne).’’

Local MP Guy Lauzon introduced Mulroney, and he asked the crowd if anybody could remember a Premier of Ontario who was fluently bilingual and could speak French?

“The next one will!’’ Lauzon said.

Lauzon said the province is in “terribly bad shape . . . we need someone to make sure the Liberals never see the light of day in the next election.’’

Caroline is the daughter of Mila and Brian Mulroney. It was Brian Mulroney who served as the 18th Prime Minister of Canada, from 1984 to 1993, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada.

Prior to his political career, he was a prominent lawyer and businessman in Montreal.

The Mulroneys have four children, including well-known media personality Ben Mulroney.